Forbes list of the world's highest-paid models

This is a list of the highest-paid models—applicable to either sex— in the world as ranked by Forbes magazine. For measurement, the magazine used pretax earnings, and fees for agents, managers and lawyers are not deducted, based on the report of 2018. The estimated figures are based on interviews with managers, agents, brand executives, and industry experts. Models income came from multiples entries, including endorsements, licensing ventures, runway shows, and commercial catalogs.

The standalone Forbes highest-paid models list existed between 2003 and 2018, although some models made appearances in the broad-general list Celebrity 100 as top model earners, including in 2000 and 2002. The lists are nearly exclusive to female models, as the magazine rarely compiles a list based on male models—the last time being in 2013. The modeling industry is a women-dominated sector, one of the few industries where the gender pay gap is reversed, where male models typically earn far less than their counterparts. According to PayScale in 2013, female models had an average salary of $41,300, earning 148% more than male models. By 2008, a successful male model could earn a mid-six-figure range, maxing out around $500,000 a year.

Gisele Bündchen holds the record for the most times being the highest earner (14), the most consecutive times being the highest earner (12), the most times being one of the top 5 earners (19), and the highest annual earnings ($47 million in 2014). Sean O'Pry has the highest annual sum reported by Forbes for a male model ($1.5 million in 2013).

Gisele Bündchen has more appearances within the top five, and on the top.

Sean O'Pry became the most "successful" male model on Forbes earning lists

Adriana Lima made at least sixteen appearances in the top five.

Kate Moss made at least ten appearances in the top five.

Heidi Klum made at least nine appearances in the top five.

David Gandy is one of the few male models to appear twice in a Forbes-earning list, including the last one dedicated to the subject (2013).

The 2018 list:

The 2017 list:

The 2016 list:

The 2015 list:

The 2014 list:

The 2013 list:

The 2013 list (male models):

The 2012 list:

The 2011 list:

The 2010 list:

The 2009 list:

The 2009 list (male models) also known as "World's Most Successful Male Models" list:

The 2008 list:

The 2008 list (male models), also known as "World's Most Successful Male Models" list:

The 2007 list:

The 2006 list:

The 2005 list:

The 2004 list:

The 2003 list:

The 2000 list:

• There’s a huge pay disparity between male and female supermodels — Fortune (2015)
• Why Do Female Models Make More Than Male Models? — ABC News (2013)
• Why Canada's Simon Nessman, one of the highest paid male models ever, has left the catwalk — CBC.ca (2017)